Basset Hound dog

The Basset Hound is a recognized British breed.

The Basset Hound said to have been described in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. It is from an old French breed, descended from the Basset d’Artois. Its systematic cultivation started in the 19th Century. In 1866 the first pack was compiled. Imported from France in 1874, the first breeding in England got the mark of the Bloodhound head.

In 1883 it came to America, where it was regarded as an alien race until 1916. In 1957, the first officially recognized Basset litter was bred in Germany. Since then, the race grew in popularity. It is also very popular in Britain and the United States. In the seventies, the Basset degenerated into a fashion dog with all the attendant disadvantages. This phase has now past, with the result being that the excesses in the body are somewhat diminished.

Description

The Basset is small at up to 38cm high but very heavy (up to 35 kg). Their coat is short and close, usually lemon or white, or black and white and red. It has remarkably long ears.

Use

The Basset Hound is not a very fast running dog, but despite its sluggishness, it has a good sense of smell. Today, it is also a family dog.

Care

The Basset is sometimes stubborn, but consistently gentle and a good-natured family dog, which quickly integrates, and generally does not like to be alone. Even compared to other dogs, it behaves in a friendly way and likes to play. He is intelligent and very trainable. His hunting instinct may be stronger or weaker, and you shouldn’t forget that during walks.

Diseases

These may occur due to its physique (short legs and long back). The Basset – as with other similarly constructed dogs – have problems, in severe cases, paralysis. It is important that the dog is not overwhelmed during the growth phase in particular. It should be avoided for it to go downwards (eg, jumps) or for climbing stairs.

It tends to base its long, drooping ears (virtually no ventilation of the ears) which results in chronic ear infections. The cause is usually different longitudinal growth of the forearm bones (radius and ulna), which then leads to painful arthritic changes in the elbow joint.

Culture

The Basset is the hallmark of the shoe brand Hush Puppies. One of the most famous basset dogs is “Dog”, the pet of the television character Columbo and children in the sixties, probably remember the Basset “Pokey”.